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After 25 successful years of service and flights aboard four different spacecraft, Butch Wilmore, a test pilot and astronaut, has announced his retirement from NASA.
Wilmore, a U.S. Navy Captain and graduate of the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School, has spent 464 days in space since joining NASA in 2000.
The highly decorated U.S. Navy Captain has been on Space Shuttle Atlantis in 2009, Roscosmos Soyuz in 2014, Boeing Starliner in 2024, and most recently returned to Earth aboard SpaceX Dragon.
He has also completed five spacewalks totaling 32 hours outside the International Space Station.
“Butch’s dedication to NASA’s mission and commitment to human space exploration is truly commendable,” said Steve Koerner, acting director of NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston. “His enduring legacy of perseverance will continue to impact and inspire future explorers and the nation for generations. On behalf of NASA’s Johnson Space Center, we express our gratitude to Butch for his service.”
Wilmore has been recognized for his technical expertise and adaptability as an astronaut, contributing to the advancement of human spaceflight over many missions.
He is one of the few astronauts who has flown on both NASA’s traditional and commercial vehicles, validating critical systems for long-term human spaceflight.
“Throughout his career, Butch has exemplified the technical excellence required of an astronaut. His mastery of complex systems, adaptability, and unwavering commitment to NASA’s mission have inspired us all,” said Joe Acaba, chief of the Astronaut Office at NASA Johnson. “As he embarks on this new chapter, that same dedication will undoubtedly shine in whatever he chooses to do next.”
Wilmore’s retirement marks the end of NASA’s pioneering era of cross-platform astronaut missions and early commercial spaceflight validation.
